Camps to Keep the Kids Busy All Summer Long
Spring is in the air and that means it’s time to sign up your kids for summer camps! There are plenty of options here at Seven Mile Beach that will take kids everywhere from the beach, to the library, to the marshes of the wetlands. Surfing? Yes, there’s a camp for that. Basketball? Yup, that too. Soccer? You’ve got it! Lacrosse? Absolutely. Whatever piques your children’s interest, you’re sure to find right here in town. Take a look at some of our favorite camps featured below and go to their websites to register soon, as spaces fill up quickly!
Casiello Basketball Camps
Dates: Avalon, July 3-6 and Aug. 7-10; Stone Harbor, July 24-27; Sea Isle June 26-29
Time: Avalon Week 1, 9:30-11:30am; Avalon Week 2, 5-7pm; Stone Harbor, 11:15am-1:15pm; Sea Isle 9:30-11:30am
Location: Avalon 8th Street courts; Stone Harbor 82nd Street complex; Sea Isle JFK Boulevard Park Courts
Cost: Avalon $210, Stone Harbor $190, Sea Isle $185
How to register: casiellobasketball.com/avalon; casiellobasketball.com/stoneharbor; casiellobasketball.com/seaisle
Ages: Grades 3-8, girls and boys
Skill level: All skill levels.
Equipment needed: A drink to stay hydrated!
What to expect: Join T-John Casiello and his USA Basketball-certified team for this summer’s premier basketball camp. With a primary focus on having fun, campers will enjoy a modern approach to instruction with unique skill training and drills that will focus on player fun and improvement. Live play games will be the backbone of camp, with small-sided 3-on-3 and full-court 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 games for each age level. Participants will receive a camp shirt, wristbands, player badges, social media pictures and more.
Highlights: Campers will learn directly from the professionals during this basketball camp, with the opportunity to hear from professional guest speakers.
Black Bear Lacrosse
Dates: Avalon Session 1, July 3-7; Avalon Session 2, Aug. 7-11; Sea Isle City, July 24-28
Time: Avalon, 9am-noon; Sea Isle City, 9-11:30am
Location: Avalon, 10th Street Fields; Sea Isle City, Dealy Field
Cost: Avalon, $275/week; Sea Isle City, $195
How to register: blackbearlacrosse.com/camp-registration
Ages: Grades K-9, boys and girls
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Equipment required: Girls – mouthpiece, stick, goggles. Boys – mouthpiece, helmet, shoulder pads, gloves, stick. Equipment other than a stick can be rented for an additional $75/week. You should also bring a reversible pinnie, but it can be purchased for $15.
What to expect: Black Bear Lacrosse hosts coed summer camps in Avalon and Sea Isle City, teaching campers the skills and fundamentals of the sport in a fun-filled environment. Players of all skill levels are invited to participate, with a detailed camp curriculum broken down into four areas: FUN in Fundamentals Curriculum, Speed and Agility Sports Training, Position-Specific Training, and Team-Specific Skill Development. Through each stage in the curriculum, campers will learn the proper technique and fundamentals of the game, and further develop their lacrosse IQ.
Highlights: This exciting camp is run by top local coaches and college players. Director Jon Heisman is an Eastern Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Coach, and girls’ director Leslie Graham is the Ocean City High School coach.
Villanova Soccer Camps (Now Tom Carlin Soccer Academy)
Dates: July 3, 5-7
Location: Sea Isle City, Dealy Field
Time: Half day, 9am-noon; Full day, 9am-3pm
Cost: Half day, $369; Full day, $429
How to register: vusoccer.com/Villanova
Questions can be directed to info@vusoccer.com
Ages: Futures (Rising 1st-4th Graders) and Juniors (Rising 5th-9th Graders); Developmental Camp available for Rising 9th-12th Graders.
Skill level: Beginner and experienced players encouraged.
What to expect: Villanova Soccer Camps and coach Tom Carlin, owner and operator of Villanova Soccer Camps and head coach of Villanova Men’s Soccer, is looking forward to seeing you this summer for an unrivaled camp experience! Campers will be mentored and trained by top club and college coaches and players, with 4-on-4 and 7-on-7 camp matches, technical development, skill training for agility, balance, and coordination, and a fun day on the field! Villanova Soccer Camps prides themselves on giving their campers the best, and most complete experience they will have at any soccer camp, so be sure to reserve your spot and register today!
Highlights: The training curriculum for Nova Soccer Camps follows “The Nova Way,” incorporating the four pillars of developing one’s inner self: cooperation, self-determination, self-confidence, and self-motivation. Campers will receive valuable insight on teamwork, friendship, respect for the game, confidence, and the ability to feel great and work hard for teammates and coaches.
Star Hollow Stables Summer Camp
Dates: Weekly, June 26 through Aug. 31
Location: Star Hollow Stables, 311 Hagan Road, Cape May Court House
Time: 9am-12:30pm
Cost: $375/week
How to register: starhollowstables.com
Ages: 5 and up
What to expect: Star Hollow Summer Camp offers an exclusive camp experience with a limited number of campers each week. Your children will learn from Ms. Abby, who has been the instructor for the last 10 years. Students will get one-on-one riding instruction, along with but not limited to, barn management, horse care and nutrition, equine first aid, horse handling and grooming.
Highlights: Campers will have the opportunity to meet Biscuit, a Star Hollow Stables favorite. He is just as sweet as he is cute, and a camp favorite!
Summer Nature Camp at The Wetlands Institute
Dates: Weekly, June 28-Aug. 23
Location: The Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor
Time: Ages 5-13, 9:30am-2pm; Age 4, 9:30am-noon
Cost: Ranges from $105 to $275 per 1-week session
How to register: wetlandsinstitute.org
Ages: 5-13; Age 4 features special programming on select dates
What to expect: Get back to nature with the kids this summer with the popular Summer Nature Camp at The Wetlands Institute. Kids will enjoy a week (or more) of activities geared to each weekly theme. Activities include hands-on science experimentation and exploration, games, field trips, beach visits, arts and crafts, and more. Each week’s theme varies with exciting new activities and exploration opportunities including The Nature of Art: Get in Shape, Wildlife Warriors, Ecology Explorers: Explore the Shore, Scales and Slime, Exploring Our Sensational Senses, Plant Power, Aquatic Adventures: Marine Mammal Edition, The Wonder of Wetlands, and The Nature of Art: Marsh Magic.
Highlights: For children ages 5-13, programs include field trips and beach days, so kids can enjoy the sun, sea, and toes in the sand, all while learning about the environment around them. Class space is filling up quickly, so register today!
Shore Multi Sports Camp
Dates: Stone Harbor, July 10-13, July 17-20; Avalon, July 31-Aug 3; Sea Isle July 10-13. July 17-20
Time: 9am-noon
Location: Avalon and Stone Harbor recreation fields; Sea Isle 59th & Central Recreation Field
Cost: $190-210
How to register: shoresportscamps.com
Ages: 5-14, boys and girls
Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.
Equipment required: Water bottle and sneakers
What to expect: Shore Sports Camps continues to be the largest and longest-running camp at the shore. This year is their 35th anniversary! All skill levels are welcome, and campers can enjoy fun activities, character development, and instruction by certified Positive Coaching Alliance coaches. The primary purpose of this camp is to create an appreciation and enjoyment of athletics, a sampling of multiple sports, teamwork, social skills, leadership, sportsmanship, and character development.
Highlights: Enjoy nationally ranked guest coaches in a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, team handball, touch football, rink soccer, yoga, tennis, baseball, ultimate Frisbee, rink hockey, volleyball, track and field, fitness, and speed training, capture the flag, and other sports as well as gross motor skill activities.
Shore Soccer Camp
Dates: July 24-27
Time: 9am-noon
Location: Avalon 11th Street Recreation Field
Cost: $210
How to register: shoresportscamps.com
Ages: 5-14, boys and girls
Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.
Equipment required: Water bottle, soccer ball, shin guards, cleats, or soccer shoes.
What to expect: Shore Soccer Camp returns to Avalon for its 35th season, structured to teach individual technique and small-group tactics. Campers will have hands-on demonstrations, drills, and exercises created to further enhance game play and skill level. The activities are designed to reinforce daily teaching themes, and campers will also enjoy small-sided league games.
Highlights: Campers will enjoy daily awards and prizes, league games, and fun award ceremonies throughout the week. Sign up now, this camp sells out every year!
Shore Basketball Camp
Dates: July 3-6
Time: 9am-noon
Location: Sea Isle Recreation basketball court, 60th & Central (younger kids); JFK courts (older kids)
Cost: $190
How to register: shoresportscamps.com
Ages: 5-14, boys and girls
Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.
Equipment required: Water bottle, sneakers, and age-appropriate sized basketball
What to expect: The basketball camp is designed to teach fundamental skills and strategies. Specific drills designed to enhance daily teaching themes will be organized as well as halfcourt and full-sided games.
Highlights: Campers will enjoy daily awards and prizes, league games, and fun award ceremonies throughout the week.
Recess NJ
Dates: July 24-27, Aug. 7-10
Time: 9am-noon
Location: 6108 Central Avenue, Sea Isle City
Cost: $299/week
How to register: recessnj.com
Ages: 4-9, girls and boys
Equipment needed: Water bottle with your child’s name on it
What to expect: Recess is back for another high-energy outdoor exercise program for children ages 4 through 9. The focus is on being active and staying fit, all while campers have a great time moving, playing, and staying healthy! Camp includes obstacle courses, relays, sports, fitness, water games, and so much more. Thursday is a water day ending camp with a pizza party and prizes.
Highlights: Parents, dress for comfort and for a mess! The last day of camp always ends with a water day featuring water balloon fights, water guns, and core summer memories!
Avalon Surf Camp
Dates: Monday-Friday, June 26-Sept. 3
Time: 9-11am
Location: 12th Street beach, Avalon
Cost: $475 for weekly camp
How to register: avalonsurfcamp.com
Ages: 7 or older, boys and girls (must be comfortable in the water)
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced lessons are offered
Equipment required: A bathing suit! Avalon Surf Camp provides everything else, including the wetsuit.
What to expect: Campers ages 7 and up will enjoy a full morning of surfing with experienced instructors certified by the International Surfing Association. No skill level is required, and campers will be categorized by colored jerseys based on surfing ability and experience from beginner to advanced. Campers will receive ocean, beach, and surfing instruction, including waterman skills and lessons on rip currents, undertows, and ocean conditions. Sign up your kids for the fastest-growing sport worldwide, surf’s up!
Highlights: Certified instructors are required to have a minimum of five years’ experience. The camp isn’t just about catching the waves, it’s about respecting ocean behavior and Mother Nature, and becoming a waterman.
